This page shows the way in which the meaning of a word can change if you stress a different syllable. This change only happens with a few, specific words, many of which are listed here — it doesn’t apply to all words in the English language. Most of the words are two syllables long — there are just a few examples with three syllables.

The examples fall into two categories:

Those which keep the same general meaning, but which change from noun to verb when the stress moves from the first to the second syllable.

Those which change their meaning completely — most of them change from noun to verb, but a few change to an adjective.

1. Change from noun to verb, same general meaning:

addict

ADD-ict

Rob is a crack cocaine ADD-ict. (Rob is a person who uses crack cocaine and cannot stop doing it)

add-ICT

If you keep playing that game, you will get add-ICT-ed to it! (you will become an addict)

conflict

CON-flict

The two friends were in CON-flict. (didn’t agree about something)

con-FLICT

Your two accounts of what happened con-FLICT. (your stories don’t agree with each other)

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